Why Vince Cunetto relics are the most sought-after Custom Shop guitars — and what makes them so special.
If you've ever wondered why certain Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters from the late 1990s command premium prices and disappear from shops within days, you're about to discover one of the best-kept secrets in guitar history: the Cunetto era.
Between 1995 and 1999, a small workshop in Missouri was responsible for creating what many collectors consider the finest relic guitars ever made. These weren't built by Fender — at least, not entirely. They were finished by Vince Cunetto, and his techniques remain a mystery to this day.
How the Fender Custom Shop Started — And Why They Needed Help
The Fender Custom Shop was established in 1987, the same year the Corona, California factory opened its doors. While this new facility represented Fender's triumphant return to American manufacturing, it came with significant limitations.
The Corona factory lacked the necessary permits and equipment to apply nitrocellulose lacquer finishes — the same finish used on vintage Fenders from the 1950s and 60s. This might seem like a minor detail, but for guitar enthusiasts, nitrocellulose is everything. It's thinner, it ages beautifully, and it allows the wood to resonate differently than modern polyurethane finishes.
By the early 1990s, Fender noticed a growing trend: players wanted guitars that looked and felt like vintage instruments. The "relic" concept was born out of necessity — when the Custom Shop repaired guitars for famous musicians, they needed to age replacement parts to match the original wear. A pristine new neck on a road-worn 1962 Stratocaster simply looked wrong.
But Fender couldn't do this work in-house. They didn't have the nitro capabilities, and frankly, they didn't have the expertise.
Enter Vince Cunetto
Vince Cunetto was a luthier and finishing expert based in Missouri who had established a relationship with Fender. His workshop had everything the Corona factory lacked: nitrocellulose capabilities, aging techniques, and years of experience studying how vintage guitars naturally wear.
In 1995, Fender made an unusual arrangement. They would manufacture Stratocaster and Telecaster bodies and necks in Corona, along with all the hardware — bridges, tuning machines, pickups, knobs, and pickguards. These parts were then shipped to Cunetto's workshop, where his team would:
- Apply authentic nitrocellulose lacquer finishes
- Age the guitars using proprietary techniques
- Assemble the complete instruments
- Ship the finished relics back to Fender
This arrangement lasted exactly four years, from 1995 to 1999.
What Makes Cunetto Relics Different?
Vince Cunetto developed his own methods for aging guitars, and here's the crucial detail: he never shared his secrets with Fender.
When the partnership ended in 1999 and Fender began doing relic work in-house, they had to start from scratch. The early 2000s Fender relics look noticeably different from Cunetto-era guitars — the wear patterns, the finish checking, the overall patina.
Cunetto relics are known for:
- Authentic checking patterns that mimic 30+ years of natural aging
- Subtle wear in the right places — where your arm rests, where your thumb hits the back of the neck
- Nitrocellulose finishes that continue to age beautifully over time
- Attention to hardware aging — the tuners, bridge saddles, and pickup covers all show period-correct oxidation
The guitars weren't heavily distressed like some modern relics. Cunetto's philosophy was restraint: the guitars looked like well-played vintage instruments, not like they'd been dragged behind a truck.
Identifying a Cunetto Relic
If you're hunting for a Cunetto-era Custom Shop guitar, here's what to look for:
Production years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, or 1999
Headstock: back of the headstock has an embossed Fender Custom Shop logo
Neck date stamps: Check the heel of the neck for dates within this period
Serial numbers: Cunetto relics typically have Custom Shop serial numbers starting with "CN" or "R" with four digits.
Standard Models produced:
- '50s Stratocaster Relic
- '60s Stratocaster Relic
- Floyd Rose Stratocaster Relic (maple or rosewood fretboard)
- '50's Nocaster Relic
Important: During this era, Fender didn't have the extensive relic options we see today. There was no "Journeyman" or "Closet Classic" — guitars were either new (NOS) or relic. Simple as that.
Standard Colors produced:
- '50s Stratocaster Relic - Vintage Blonde
- '60s Stratocaster Relic - 3-Color Sunburst + Olympic White
- Floyd Rose Stratocaster Relic (maple or rosewood fretboard) - Olympic White + Black
- '50's Nocastetr Relic - Honey Blonde
The Market for Cunetto Stratocasters Today
Because the production window was so short — just four years — Cunetto relics have become highly collectible. The combination of:
- Limited production numbers
- Superior aging techniques
- Historical significance
- Genuine nitrocellulose finishes
- The mystique of Cunetto's undisclosed methods
...has created strong demand among collectors and players alike.
At Never Enough Strats, 1960s-style Custom Shop guitars are consistently our fastest sellers. When a Cunetto-era relic comes in, it typically sells within one to two weeks. These guitars represent a unique moment in Fender history — when the Custom Shop was still finding its identity, and an outside craftsman was creating some of the most authentic vintage-style instruments ever made.
Playing a Cunetto Relic in 2024
Here's something many collectors overlook: Cunetto relics have now had 25-30 years to age naturally on top of their original artificial aging.
A 1998 Cunetto that left the workshop with tasteful, subtle wear has continued to develop. The nitrocellulose finish has checked and yellowed. The frets have worn. The neck has developed a played-in feel that can't be replicated.
When you pick up a well-played Cunetto Stratocaster today, you're holding something remarkable: a guitar that was aged to look vintage when new, and has since become genuinely vintage itself. The line between artificial aging and authentic wear has completely blurred.
As one owner of a 1998 Cunetto 60s Stratocaster described it: "It feels like you're holding a real 60s Strat in your hands."
The Legacy of the Cunetto Era
When Fender took relic production in-house in 1999, they faced a steep learning curve. The early 2000s relics are noticeably different — some would say less refined. It took Fender years to develop techniques that approached Cunetto's quality.
Today, the Fender Custom Shop offers multiple aging levels:
- NOS (New Old Stock): Brand new, vintage-spec
- Closet Classic: Light aging, minimal wear
- Journeyman Relic: Moderate, natural-looking wear
- Relic: Heavy aging and wear
- Heavy Relic: Extreme distressing
The irony? Many players argue that the original Cunetto relics — made with just one "relic" option — still represent the gold standard.
Vince Cunetto passed away in 2013, taking his finishing secrets with him. The techniques he developed remain undocumented, making his guitars even more significant to collectors and historians.
Should You Buy a Cunetto Relic?
If you're considering a Cunetto-era Custom Shop guitar, here's honest advice:
Buy one if:
- You appreciate guitars with historical significance
- You want a nitro-finished instrument that's already beautifully aged
- You're looking for a player-grade vintage feel without vintage prices
- You value craftsmanship and the story behind an instrument
Consider alternatives if:
- You prefer pristine, unaged finishes
- You want modern features (locking tuners, stainless frets, etc.)
- Budget is your primary concern
Cunetto relics typically command a premium over equivalent-year Custom Shop guitars. But for many players, the combination of playability, tone, authentic aging, and historical significance makes them worth every penny.
Find Your Cunetto
At Never Enough Strats, we specialize in Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters and Telecasters, including guitars from the coveted Cunetto era. When we get one in, it rarely lasts long.
Check out the Cunetto's in stock and sold archive. →
Want to be notified when rare Custom Shop guitars arrive? Contact us to join our waiting list.
About the author: Glenn van der Burg is the founder of Never Enough Strats, a specialized guitar shop focusing on used Fender Custom Shop instruments. With a showroom in Buren, Netherlands, Glenn has handled a lot of Custom Shop guitars and developed expertise in identifying, evaluating, and appreciating these instruments.
